Defense chief states Israel wanted to murder Iran’s Khamenei

(MENAFN) Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that the country would have aimed to eliminate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei if the opportunity had arisen, following a recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran that ended nearly two weeks of conflict. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 13, Katz explained that Khamenei went into deep hiding and severed communication with commanders, making a direct strike impossible.

“We intended to kill Khamenei, but there was no operational chance,” Katz said. When asked if Israel sought US approval for such a move, he responded that permission was not necessary.

On June 13, Israel carried out airstrikes and assassinations targeting top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists in an effort to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The attacks resulted in the deaths of senior figures including Chief of the General Staff Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Hossein Salami. Reports of Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani’s death were later disproven.

Iran, which denies developing nuclear weapons, condemned the Israeli strikes and retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. The US-brokered ceasefire currently holds, with both nations declaring victory. Khamenei praised Iran’s resilience on social media following the ceasefire.

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